"To those Unable to Pay, Free."
By John Maddock
SINCE I have been blessed with the ability to read, that is the best motto I have seen in reference to the circulation of religious periodicals; the nearest approximation to the benevolence of the Author of our Holy Christianity. Get all you can, and keep all you get, is the motto of the world; and how far are the ranks of Christianity behind them? Their periodicals answer this question. The most steady and prominent articles in them are advance pay, duns to delinquents, with stirring appeals to their friends to send on the subscribers, and above all the dollars. No matter how holy or useful persons may be, if they are poor and unable to pay for their paper they must do without. No matter how much they love the Redeemer's cause, nor how much they labor for it, their tempest-tossed, tried souls, are not to be rejoiced with the good tidings of salvation. And why? Because they are poor; their heavenly Father has not seen fit to make them financial stewards. One of the fundamental principles of Christianity is, that the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are not the exclusive owners of the property and talents they have in charge, but are stewards for Him who bestowed them, that they might be used in his service. Who believes this? "Not every one that says, Lord, Lord." Many professedly consecrate their property and talents to the Lord; but few, very few, practically. But there are a few, and may God bless that few, increase their number, and make their joys forever new. The inconsistency of professors of Christianity in the use of their property, is a great hindrance to the advancement of the Redeemer's cause; and I do say that if my faith in the religion of Christ depended upon the conduct of many of its professors I should be an infidel. There is but one way to transport property to heaven; there is but one way to prevent property sinking us lower than the grave; there is but one way in which we can give an account of our stewardship with joy and not with grief; and that is to use it in the service of the Lord. So said Jesus Christ, but who acts as though he believed it? There is but one way to make our profession tell on an ungodly world; there is but one way to prove our religion heaven-born, there is but one way to prove that we believe it; and that is to let actions unite with professions in the use of our time, talents and property in the service of the Lord. So says Christ. * May the Lord hasten the time when Christianity shall be seen acting out its principles and triumphing over all its foes. Yours truly, JOHN MADDOCK.
Decatur, Ills.